Keep the cohorts and keep the community safe!!

Even with only half of the student body present, social distancing guidelines at Watauga High School are not being respected in the slightest. During class changes the third floor is a nightmare and our class rooms barley have enough space for proper social distancing. We all wear masks, but that’s not enough. Students and teachers feel unsafe. Going to school four days a week and merging the Watauga cohort and the Pioneer cohort is not what we need, nor is it going to be the safest option for our teachers and our families who are most at risk. Student’s mental health should be a top priority as well. Having to readjust to all of the changes this year has been a huge strain on everyone's mental health. Bringing highschoolers back for the last nine weeks of the school year seems counter intuitive when we have been doing just fine within our two groups. Few people have been vaccinated. Even the teachers at WHS are waiting for their second dose. Lets keep our friends and families safe. Let’s not be too hasty.